Surgical operating device



Oct. 29, 1940. J. A. REYNIERS SURGICAL OPERATING DEVICE Filed June 14,1957 PIG. I.'

' INVENTOR. J4/V55 A ff/wies.

@m4/gf ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 29, 1940 UNITED sTarEs PATENT OFFICE James A. Reyniers,South Bend, Ind. Application June 14, 1937, Serial No. 148,101

15 Claims. (01.'128-1) ananimal in a controlled germ free environment.

In conducting experiments with biological specimens it is desirable thatthe animals upon which the experiments are conducted be substantially.

germ-free, or that such germs as the specimens may be subjected to belimited to known germs or virus so that the results obtained may bedirectly and positively-attributed to the known germ or virus. Variousdevices may be utilized for controlling the environment in which aspecimen is kept, one such device being illustrated in mycopendingapplication, Serial No. 148,102, filed June 14, 1.937, ofwhichthis application is a continuation in part.` However, it is essentialthat the animal be germ-free when introduced into such apparatus. Itiswell known that the offspring of healthyf animals are substantiallygerm-free at birth, and it,y is therefore desirable to introduce thelanimals in to the device in which the same are to be maintained in thedesired controlled environment at birth. It is also desirable that thenewly born animals shall be obtained and introduced into the devicewithout or before they are subjected to exterior contact with themother.

- It is therefore the primary obje'ct of this invention to providenovel-means by which a caesarian operation may be performed upon ananimal.

A further 'object is to provide a device of this character comprisingasealed chamber divided into compartments for receiving and holding thepregnant animal, and for receiving the newly born animals. o

A-further object is to provide a device of this character comprisingl acompartment of controlled environment, a compartment for introducing thepregnant animal, and an intermediate compartment adapted to be sealedfrom the last named compartment and sealed from the rst compartment by aseverable partition.

Affurther object is to provide a device of this character with a novelflexible severable partition of materialimpervious to air. y

A further object is to provide a device' of this character wherein anoperating table is mounted in a separate compartment off-set from themain compartment and separated therefrom by a lap cloth severable toexpose a minimum of the animal operated upon as necessary to perform theoperation. j f A further object is to provide a device of `thischaracter adapted to be effectively and completely sterilized prior touse.

A further object is to provide a-device of this character by means ofwhichv an operation may be performed in a germ-free controlledenvironment without danger of contamination.

Other objects will be apparentfrom the de.-l 5f scripticn and theappended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side view of the device.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end view of the device.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal 10 vertical sectionalview taken on 1ne`3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 isan enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional viewtaken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the lap cloth.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional View of a glove clave.

Referring to the drawing, which illustrates the preferred embodiment ofmy invention, the numeral i@ designates the body of the device which 20is preferably formed of metal in cylindrical form with the seam thereof(not shown) sealed to render the seam air-tight. On the ends of thecylindrical body are mounted flange rings I l in sealed, relationthereto. To these flange ringsare cong5 nected suitable adapter rings l2by means of bolts I3, there preferably being suitable gasketrme'ans i(not shown) interposed between the flange and adapter rings to provide asealed joint therebetween. To each adapter ring I2 is secured a suit-v30 `able connecting chamber IL-preferabltr of cylindrical forrn, thesamebeing in turn connected to other suitableunits (not shown) toconstitute 'a closed system. l

The bodylt is provided with a ring I5 secured 35 in sealed relationthereto vabout an opening therein at the center of the upper sidethereof, said ring supportingr a transparent closure plate .(not shown)which is held to place by a ring I6,

,said transparent plate, having suitable gasket rings at its top andbottom sides to effect ya sealed joint with said rings. On each sideAof, the body l are mounted suitable glove claves I'l in sealed relationthereto whereby the operator may reach into thebody withoutcontaminating the same or 45 breaking the sealed relation thereof. Aplurality of electric leads I8 extend intoA body Il),` the said bodymounting suitable sealing means i9 through which said leads extend tomaintain the sealed condition of the device. The construction of the 50aforementioned parts of the device is substantially as set out ingreater detail in my cepending application, Ser. No. 148,102 led June14, 1937. y

' Ihej body luis mounted upon a suitable standu ard or supporting frame26 composed of suitably interconnected and braced uprights. Mounted onframe 20 in sealed relation to body I9 and preferably therebelow is atrap or chamber comprising side and. end walls 2| preferably providedwith transparent panels 22, and one of said walls having an access door23. The trap is also provided With a closure at its bottom (not shown).

The body IIJ is provided with an opening 25 at the center of its lowerside in inwardly spaced relation to the walls 2| of said trap. A frame26 is secured to the outer side of body I9 at the margin of opening 25.The upper edge of said frame 26 conforms to the contour of the body I0and is provided with a marginal outwardly projecting flange 21 securedto the body in sealed relation by securing members 28. The bottom edgeof frame 26 is plane, and is provided with an endless groove mounting agasket 29. Within the body I0 is mounted a second frame 30 at the marginof opening 25. 'I'he bottom face of said frame 30 conforms to thecontour of said body, and is secured in sealed relation thereto byscrews 3l extending through said frame and body and into frame 26. Theupper edge of frame 30 is plane and is provided with countersunk boresreceiving said screws 3l and their heads. Flanges 32 projecthorizontally from the opposite upper ends of said frame 30 and supporthorizontal plates 33 within body I0. A lap cloth 34 spans frame 30 andthe edges thereof are overlaid by retainers 35 secured to frame 3U bybolts 36 and thereby clamping cloth 34 to place. The cloth 34 ispreferably of laminated construction illustrated in Fig. 5, the samecomprising outer layers 31 of woven cloth or other like flexiblematerial, and an intermediate layer 38 of some steamresisting, severablematerial impenetrable by air, such as Cellophane Ihe outer layers 31 arepreferably provided with registering slits 39 at the center thereof, forpurposes to be hereinafter set forth.

From one side of frame 26 projects a `pair of spaced rigid dependingarms 4U terminating below the lower edge of said frame. To the lower endof each arm 4D at 4I is pivoted one end of a link 42 whose opposite endis connected at 43 to a bracket 44 projecting from the outer face of aclosure plate 45 adapted to t against the bottom of frame 26. Plate 45is preferably provided with a ridge 46 projecting from its inner faceand adapted to seat against gasket 29. Suitable bolts or other securingmembers 41 extend through plate 45 outwardly of ridge 46 and arethreaded in suitable bores in the bottom edge of frame 26. Plate 45 ispreferably provided with a handle 48 at the side thereof opposite arms40. At the center of the upper or inner face of closure plate 45 isrigidly secured a pedestal 49 which rigidly mounts a plate 50 in spacedparallel relation to plate 4'5, said plate 50 constituting an operatingtable spaced below cloth 34 when said plate 45 is operatively secured toframe 26.

Suitable conduits 5l for the supply and. exhaust of steam are provided,said conduits being here illustrated as each mounted on andcommuni'cating with a connecting chamber I4 which opens into body I 0.Water conduits 52 communicate with water jacket 53 of connecting chamberI4 to constitute temperature controlling means. Also, suitable means(not shown) are preferably provided to supply-filtered air to thedevice.

The glove claves I1 each preferably comprise a cylindrical frame 55secured in sealed relation to body I0 at the margin of an opening insaid body. On the outer end of the frame 55 is pivotally connected aclosure plate 56 adapted to be removably secured in sealed relation tothe end of said frame by suitable locking means 51. The inner Wall offrame 55 is preferably stepped adjacent its outer end to receive a ring58 whlchl serves to clamp the outer end of an elongated rubber glove 59in sealing relation to the periphery of frame 55. Thus the operator mayinsert his hands and arms in gloves 59 and reach into body I0 withoutdestroying the sealed rotation thereof or contaminating the desiredcontrolled environment therein.

In using the device, an unbroken lap cloth 34 is rst secured to spanframe 30 and seal the body l0 from the remainder of the device includingthe trap. Body HJ is then connected with such other units as may bedesired with sealed joints and the whole is sealed to constitute asealed assembly;` or, in the event the device alone is to be used, thesame is so sealed, although it is preferably provided with at least oneconnecting member I4 in communication therewith. Prior to the sealing ofthe device, all necessary instruments, equipment, and possibly food, areinserted in the device, resting upon the plates 33. I'he device is thenthoroughly sterilized, as by admission of steam from conduits 5| intothe sealed portion of the device, and by cleansing the parts of thetrap, frames 26 and 30, and all other parts within the trapl and belowlap cloth 34, by use of an antiseptic solution, so that the device isready for use. In this connection it will be seen that the steamsterilizes all food, instruments and the like within the device in situ,and also serves to sterilize the'entire surface of gloves 59 which arewithin the device or `come into contact with objects in the interiorthereof.

The pregnant animal is prepared for the operation by preferablycompletely removing the hair therefrom, and then bathing the same in anantiseptic solution. When the exterior cleanliness of the animal isassured, it is inserted into the trap through door 23, and placed uponplate 59 where it is held as the same is swung on links 42 to closedposition against the bottom edge of frame 26. The securing members 41are then applied to force ridge 46 of the closure plate 45 tight:against gasket 29 and thereby form a sealed joint. In this way, asecondary sealed chamber ably being so spaced from cloth 34 that thebody of the animal will touch the cloth when supported in properposition on said plate.

The parts all being prepared and sealedy as aforesaid, the intermediatelayer 38 of the lap cloth is then slit in line with slits 39 in theouter layers 31 thereof to provide an opening of sufficient size topermit performance of the operation and yet maintain at a minimum theextent of exposure of the body of the animal through said slit. In orderto prevent possibility of contamination of the interiorof cylinder I0 bythe animal operated upon as from the blood, saliva', excretions, etc.,the necessary incisions are preferably made with an electric cauterwhich practically eliminates loss of blood by the animal and henceeliminates a source of possible contamination of the interior ofcylinder I0. In performing the operation, every precaution is taken toprevent contamination of the device by the mother, as by cleansing allorgans exposed through the slit in the lap cloth during the operationwith an antiseptic solution. ,Y

After the operation has been completed, the newlyborn animals arepreferably submitted to only such treatment Within the operating`unit'as is necessary immediatelyY after birth, and are then passed fromthe operating unit through connecting chamber I4 to aconnected unit ofsuitable character (not shown) such as the raisingunit described in myaforesaid copending application, there being a suitable closure member(not shown) adapted to be interposed between the connected units toprovide a seal therebetween after the transfer. When this transfer andseal has been effected, the closureplate 4,5 may be opened to permitwithdrawal ofthe mother from the unit, the exposure. of the interior ofthe unit at that time being Without dangery of contamination withrespect to the young -which are then contained in an independent'chamber sealed from atmosphere. f

It will be seen that, by securing theclosure 45 in sealed relation toframe -26 before severing cloth 34, all of the parts having4 beenpreviously sterilized and the mother denuded of hair and thoroughlyantiseptically cleaned, danger of contaminating the interior of theoperating chamber preparatory to and during the operation is entirelyeliminated. Whether the trap remains antiseptic after theolosure 45 issealedis immateral. However, if desired, the trap may be provided withglove claves similar to those in cylinder I0, so that the trap may besealed after the mother is inserted therein, and the trap and animalthen given a iinal antiseptic treatment while in this sealed condition,and before'the mother is placed upon the operating table. It will alsobe seen that lap cloth 34 being taut, the slit edges thereof will tendto stay together when they are not intentionally separated, and minimumexposure of the animal operated upon is thereby insured, the extent ofthis exposure being largely within the controlof the operator.

I claim:

1. An operating unit comprising a sealed working chamber having anopening therein, a memvber impervious to air sealing said opening,` a

frame carried by and projecting from said chamber at the margin of saidopening, and a closure f for sealing the outer end of said framecooperating with said frame to form a patient-receiving chamber, saidmember including a normally imperforate severable portion for access tothe patient through the rst chamber.

2. An operating unit comprising a sealed working chamber having anopening therein, an imperforate sheet normally sealing said opening, and

a secondary sealed chamber secured to and positioned externally of saidchamber around said opening for housing a patient, said member beingseverable for access to a selected limited portion of the anatomy of thepatient through the iirst chamber.

3. An operating unit comprising a sealed working chamber having anopening, a frame secured to said chamber surrounding said opening, animperforate sheet of material impervious to air spanning and sealingsaid opening at the inner end of said frame, and a releasable closuresealing the outer end of said frame, said frame, sheet and closuredefining a patient-receiving chamber to which limited working access isobtained by severing the sheet.

4. An operating unit comprising a sealed working chamber including animperforate severable f portion, a secondary chamber for receiving a palvtient normally sealed from said first chanmber by said severableportion, and a trap enclosing said secondary chamber and secured insealed projecting relation to said first chamber.

5. An operating unit comprising a sealed chamber, a trap secured totheexterior of `said chamber, a frame secured to said chamber within saidtrap, said chambery having an imperforate severable portion within theoutline of said frame, and means' adapted to seal .said frame outwardlyof said severable portion for support of a patient adjacent to saidseverable portion and exteriorly of said chamber.

6. An operating unit comprising a chamber including aseverable sheetportion, an open-ended chambered projection surrounding said sheet andsecured-to said chamber, and a plate carried by said projection andadapted to seal the outer end thereof, animal and said animal beingaccessible by severingthe sheet portion of said chamber.

-7. An operating unit comprismg a working `chamber having an opening, aframe secured to the chamber around said opening, an imperforateseverable lap cloth spanning theinner end of said frame, a closurepivoted to saidy frame, and means for locking said closure in sealingrelation at the outer end of said frame saidclosure supporting a patientadjacent said lap cloth and accessible from said Working chamber uponsevering said lap cloth.

8. An operating unit comprising a Working chamber having an opening, aframe secured to the chamber around said opening, a severable lapclothspanning the inner end of said frame, a closure pivoted to said frame,means for locking said closure in sealing relation at the outer end ofsaid frame, and a support carried by the inner side of said closure toform an operating table. y

9. An operating unit comprising a Working chamber having a plurality ofopenings therein, a transparent closure sealed in one opening, aflexible glove secured at the periphery ofanother opening in sealingrelation, means adjacent another opening for supporting an animal, andmeans accessible by use of said glove normally sealing said last namedopening and adapted to be 'opened to establish communication betweensaid chamber and supporting means.

10. An operating unit comprising a Working chamber having a pair ofopenings therein, a flexible. elongated access member `extending intosaid chamber at one opening and secured to said chamber to seal saidopening, a patient-receiving chamber secured to said iirst chamber atthe margin of the other opening, and sealing means closing said lastnamed opening and adapted to beopened by use of said access member toestablish communication between said chambers,

1l. An operating unit comprising a Working chamber having a pair ofopenings, a flexible access member in said chamber secured in sealin-grelation to said chamber adjacent the periphery of one opening,y meanswithin reach of said access member sealing the other opening, and asecondary patient-receiving chamber projecting from said rs't chamber atsaid last named opening and normally separated therefrom by said sealingmeans.

l2. An operating 'unit comprising a working chamber having'a pair ofopenings, a glove within said chamber secured thereto to seal oneopening, a frame secured to said chamber around the other opening, andspaced closures carried by said frame to providea patient-receivingcompartment'normally sealed from said chamber, said glove being ofalength to reach said inner closure and compartment for operating on thepatient Without destroying the sealed character of the unit.

13. An operating unit comprising a sealed Working chamber, a support forsaid chamber, a sealed sight opening adjacent the top of said chamber,said chamber having an opening at its side, a iiexible glove within saidchamber secured in sealing relation at said chamber to the margin ofsaid opening, said chamber having a second opening adjacent its bottom,a patient-receiving chamber secured in sealing relation to said firstchamber around said second opening, and a exible severable membernormally sealing said second opening said glove permitting manualconduct of an operation While maintaining said unit sealed and saidsecond chamber open to said Working chamber only to the lextentnecessary for operating on the patient.

14. An operating unit comprising a primary chamber, a secondary chamberprojecting therefrom, an open-ended chamber carried by said firstchamber and encompassed by said secondary chamber, said primary chamberhaving an opening positioned inwardly of said secondary Chamber throughwhich said last named chamber projects, and spaced closures for sealingthe ends of said lastnamed chamber to constitute a patientreceivingchamber, the closure at the end of said last named chamber which isWithin the primary chamber'being normally sealed.

15. An operating unit comprising a sealed Working chamber, a support forsaid chamber, a sealed sight opening adjacent the top of said chamber,said chamber having an opening at its side, a flexible glove Within saidchamber secured in sealing relation to said chamber at the margin ofsaid openin-g, said chamber having a second opening adjacent its bottom,a patient-receiving chamber secured in sealing relation to said iirstchamber around said second opening, a ilexible severable member normallysealing said second opening, and a releasable closure at the lower endof said second chamber spaced from said flexible sealing member andadapted to support a patientl when closed, said glove permitting manualconduct of an operation While maintaining said unit sealed and saidsecond chamber open to said Working cham- 'ber only to the extentnecessary for operating on the patient.

JAMES A. REYNIERS.

Cil

Patent No. 2,219,564 Granted October 29, 194() JAMES A. REYNIERS Theabove entitled potent was extended January 8, 1952, under the provisionsof the act of June 30, 1950, for 2 years and 328 days from theexpiration of the Original term thereof.

ommz'asz'oner' of Patents.

